Trending

Ferdinand fires Van Gaal warning as he urges Manchester United to consider two proven managers

14th December, 2015, 11:05 AM

By Coral Barry

Rio Ferdinand has fired a warning to Louis van Gaal as he urges Manchester United to consider the possibility of hiring a new manager next summer.

The United legend was speaking after club capped off a wretched week with a 2-1 loss to relegation battlers Bournemouth last Saturday.

This came on the back of United crashing out of the Champions League in midweek and a goal-less draw at home to West Ham.

Ferdinand is among the many ex-Old Trafford stars who is increasingly unconvinced that Van Gaal is the man to make the Premier League giants a dominant force in European football once again.

“Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti will be available this summer and the question is will they be able to do a better job than Van Gaal,” Ferdinand told The Sun. “The board and owners might want to be loyal to Van Gaal after investing so much in him but they also have to do what is best for United.

“And if United finish outside the top four, that will be catastrophic. It might rule out the chance of getting either Guardiola or Ancelotti.

“It will be more difficult to attract the best players, too. The next six months are absolutely crucial.”

Wanted man: Pep Guardiola could be available next summer

Ancelotti will be available next summer when his year-long sabbatical finishes, while Guardiola could also be available if he does not renew his Bayern Munich contract, which expires at the end of the season.

United welcome Norwich to Old Trafford next weekend, with the Canaries showing improved form after clinching draws against Arsenal and Everton in recent weeks.